Weekly natural gas cash prices progressed again as production declined notably and temperatures heated up in the South to bolster cooling demand.

NGI’s Weekly Spot Gas National Avg. for the June 12-16 period climbed 7.5 cents to $1.965. It advanced 8.0 cents the prior week.

Leading gainers included Tenn Zone 1 non-St. 87, up 65.5 cents to $2.460; Southern Pines, ahead 41.0 cents to $2.650; and Florida Gas Zone 3, up 37.0 cents to $2.565.

The July Nymex contract rallied throughout the week and settled at $2.632/MMBtu to close Friday, ahead 9.9 cents on the day and up 17% from the prior week’s finish.

Weather across the South proved bullish for spot markets during the covered period.

Additionally, forecasts showed intensifying heat and the likelihood of increased natural...